UW News

December 7, 2006

The art in science

Although there’s often a gulf of perception between the worlds of art and science, many artists use science for their creations and some scientists find art in their work.


The School of Medicine’s Department of Biological Structure has mounted an exhibit of images, many with color enhancements, from several different laboratories, working groups and individuals in the department. The images are displayed in the hallway outside the main department office in G-517 of the Health Sciences Building and also on the department’s Web site at http://www.biostr.washington.edu/Art/art.html.


The exhibit began about six years ago when Dr. Anita Hendrickson was the department chair, said administrator Marcia Knipher. A committee that included faculty, staff, post-docs and graduate students was formed to choose images for the display from those submitted. Some of the images were submitted as they were originally made for the science projects; others were enhanced or altered to accentuate their artistic value. Each image is accompanied by a description and credit.


Since the project began, new images have been added and others retired. The current group of 14 images will remain on display until May, when the department will be moving out of its quarters for a two-year renovation of the G wing.